Staff Reporter
AMANDA Jantjies will spend more time behind bars than her husband after the Windhoek High Court sentenced the couple for their involvement in a N$9.98 million fraud scheme that drained a transport company’s funds over several years.
High Court Judge Eileen Rakow sentenced Amanda Jantjies, 58, to 18 years’ imprisonment for fraud, while Barnard Jantjies, 60, received a 14-year prison sentence for theft. Both were also sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment for money laundering, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently with the main charges.
The couple was convicted after admitting to hundreds of charges linked to the misappropriation of approximately N$9.98 million from transport company Ekonolux between January 2014 and November 2018.
Amanda, who worked as a bookkeeper at Ekonolux, admitted guilt on 873 counts of fraud, while Barnard pleaded guilty to 876 counts of theft. The couple also pleaded guilty to 871 counts of money laundering.
The State alleged that Amanda abused her position of trust by making unauthorised payments from Ekonolux’s bank account into her own account, her husband’s account and their company, Bareli Building Services CC.
The payments were allegedly disguised as legitimate transactions to clients and suppliers, allowing the scheme to continue for several years before it was uncovered.
During sentencing proceedings, Amanda previously told the court that she had confessed to her employer after being overwhelmed by guilt and apologised to those affected by her actions.
She told the court that the misconduct started on a small scale but escalated over time, eventually reaching millions of Namibia dollars.
The court heard that a portion of the stolen funds was used for personal expenses, including gambling.
The matter involved a total of 1,749 combined charges against the couple, with both accused admitting their involvement in the offences.
Photo: File
